Abstract:
There is described a sheet-fed or web-fed printing press for numbering and varnishing of security documents, including banknotes, comprising: —a numbering group (02) comprising at least one numbering unit (21, 22) for numbering printed material in the form of individual sheets or successive portions of a continuous web carrying multiple security imprints; and —a varnishing group (03; 03*) located downstream of the numbering group (02) for applying varnish onto recto and verso sides of the printed material, the varnishing group (03; 03*) comprising at least a first varnishing unit (31) disposed above a path of the printed material to apply varnish on the recto side of the printed material and at least a second varnishing unit (32) disposed below the path of the printed material to apply varnish on the verso side of the printed material.
Abstract:
There is described a printed security feature (10) provided onto a printable substrate, which printed security feature includes a printed area (11) with at least a first printed section consisting of a multiplicity of geometric elements (GE, 15) printed with a given distribution over the printed area. The geometric elements are printed with at least first and second inks which exhibit the same or substantially the same optical appearance when illuminated with visible white light, such that the printed security feature produces a first graphical representation (A1) when illuminated with visible white light. At least the first ink is an ink which responds to non-visible light excitation by producing a characteristic optical response differentiating the first ink from the second ink. The printed security feature produces a second graphical representation (B1) when illuminated with non-visible light, which exhibits a distinctive two-dimensional graphic element (B) which is revealed only when the printed security feature is illuminated with non-visible light. The first printed section is subdivided into at least first and second printed portions (P1, P2), adjacent to the distinctive two-dimensional graphic element, and a third printed portion (P3), inside boundaries (200) of the distinctive two-dimensional graphic element. In the first, respectively second printed portion, the geometric elements are printed with the first, respectively second ink. In the third printed portion, the geometric elements are sub-divided into first and second contiguous portions (GE_a, GE_b) which are respectively printed with the first and second inks. The first and second inks are printed in register one with respect to the other so that the boundaries of the distinctive two-dimensional graphic element are not visible when the printed security feature is illuminated with visible white light and the distinctive two-dimensional graphic element only becomes visible when the printed security feature is illuminated with non-visible light.
Abstract:
There is described a sheet-fed rotary printing press (100; 200; 300) for the production of banknotes and like securities comprising at least one printing form cylinder (115, 125; 215; 315, 325) having one or more segments. A nominal diameter (D) of the at least one printing form cylinder (115, 125; 215; 315, 325) substantially corresponds to an integer multiple of a reference diameter of a one-segment cylinder (103a; 103c; . . . ) as used for printing onto super-format sheets exhibiting a standardized format with a width of the order of 820 mm and a length of the order of 700 mm. An axial length (AL) of the at least one printing form cylinder (115, 125; 215; 315, 325) is comparatively greater than a nominal axial length of a corresponding printing form cylinder as used for printing onto super-format sheets, by an amount such that the at least one printing form cylinder (115, 125; 215; 315, 325) is suitable for printing onto large-format sheets having a comparatively greater width (W) than the width of super-format sheets. Preferably, a circumferential length (SL) of each segment of the at least one printing form cylinder (115, 125; 215; 315, 325) is comparatively greater than a nominal circumferential length of each segment of a corresponding printing form cylinder as used for printing onto super-format sheets, by an amount such that the at least one printing form cylinder (115, 125; 215; 315, 325) is suitable for printing onto large-format sheets having a comparatively greater length (L) than the length of super-format sheets.